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Confinement Site Manure Applicator Workshops Scheduled for 2013

AMES, Iowa -- Confinement site manure applicators and anyone interested in learning about manure issues should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in January or February 2013. The workshops are offered in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. There is no fee to attend the workshops, but applicators will need to pay certification fees to complete certification requirements.

“Iowa law requires confinement site manure applicators to attend two hours of continuing education each year of their three-year certification period, or take and pass an exam once every three years,” said Angela Rieck-Hinz, ISU Extension and Outreach program specialist and coordinator of the manure applicator certification program.

A total of 61 confinement site manure applicator workshops will be held in 57 different counties. In addition, a series of seven dry/solid manure applicator certification meetings will be held in February. ISU Extension county offices have a complete list of workshop dates and locations, or find the list at http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/certification/confdates.html.

The workshops serve as initial certification for those applicators that are not currently certified, recertification for those renewing licenses and continuing education for those applicators in their second or third year of their license.

Due to uniform certification deadlines, applicators are encouraged to attend workshops prior to March 1 to avoid being assessed a late fee of $12.50. Those unable to attend one of the workshops need to schedule time with an ISU Extension county office to watch the training DVD. Due to scheduling conflicts, many county extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch these DVDs, but do offer scheduled dates and times to provide this training. There will not be a fee charged for scheduled training dates and workshops; however anyone requesting a non-scheduled showing will be charged a $10 fee to view the training.If attending the workshops or watching the two-hour training DVD is not convenient, confinement site manure applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam to meet certification requirements.